Insecticide.



UNITED STATEs Patented January 3, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

RUFUS LAFAYETTE ODOM, OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOHUGH WV. PENNEL, OF MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE.

INSECTICIDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 779,236, dated January3, 1905.

Application filed May 2, 1903. Serial No. 155,400.

To all 1071,0712 it Wuty concern.-

Be it known that I, RUFUs LAFAYETTE ODOM, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Nashville, in the county of Davidson and State ofTennessee, have invented a new and useful Insecticide, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to insecticides, and more especially toinsecticides for use upon fruit-trees, though the invention may be usedto advantage upon shade-trees or shrubs subject to the ravages ofinsects.

The object of the invention is to provide an insecticide of thoroughlyefl'ective character which may be conveniently applied to the trees orshrubs injured by insects and'which may be compounded at small cost.

In the attainment of the objects above stated I employ a mixture of theingredients named below in the proportions specified: one pound ofninety-per-cent. carbolic acid, one pound of Fowlers solution ofarsenic, six hundred grains of paris-green. These ingredients arepreferably mixed with one and one-half gallons of water, and theinsecticide is then ready for use.

In order to keep the paris-green uniformly distributed throughout theliquid and prevent settling, the insecticide should be shaken wellbefore using and from time to time during its application.

The insecticide as thus described is applied directly to the trunks oftrees and the roots by means of a brush and need not, unless the insectshave already invaded the tree, be applied elsewhere.

The mode of'application of the insecticide is first to remove the earthfrom the roots of the tree where they branch outward from the trunk andusing a brush to apply to the roots and the trunk adjacent thereto asuflicient quantity of the insecticide to cover the surfaces on which itis applied. The earth will then be restored to its original positionover the roots of the tree.

As stated in a preceding paragraph, the insecticide is intended moreespecially for use upon fruit-trees and is thoroughly efiective inpreventing the ravages of the peach-tree borer and aphis, which are thecommonest and most destructive of the insects that ravage the orchardsof this country.

The use of this insecticide upon shade-trees is productive of goodresults in destroying insects already upon the trees and in preventingthe invasion of the trees by caterpillars and the like.

A special feature of this insecticide not found in other insecticides,so far as I am aware, is the stiinulative effect which it has uponvegetation generally when applied thereto.

The insecticide being in liquid form is when applied to the roots of thetree absorbed to a certain extent by the cells of the roots, andentering into the sap of the tree it is distributed throughout the treeby the circulation of the sap and exerts an invigorating and stimulatinginfluence upon the cells of the bark and leaves, thus leading to morerapid growth and increased vigor in the trees to which it is applied.

Having thus described the nature and use of my invention, what I claimas new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The insecticide consisting of ninety-pet-cent. carbolic acid, one pound;Fowlers solution of arsenic, one pound; paris-green, six hundred grains;and water, one and one-half gallons.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

RUFUS LAFAYETTE ODOM.

Witnesses:

RAYMOND A. ODoM, A. V. ODOM.

